School Holiday Entertainment: Showmax to the Rescue

Let’s be honest: as much as we cherish our children, finding engaging school holiday entertainment during the last week can be particularly challenging.

Their best friends are all away, they’ve exhausted their favourite games, finished their books, and are consequently making you wonder if that extra 30-minute lie-in without the school run is worth it after all.

If they say, ‘I’m bored’ one more time, you might crack. In fact, even if they call your name from across the house one more time, you might crack.

Luckily, when you need fresh ideas for school holiday entertainment, Showmax is here with reinforcements: seven titles for seven days, all so good you can let them watch guilt-free.

Magical Kids’ Holiday Viewing: Wicked

First on the list is Wicked, where Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande star as two wizarding students who become reluctant roommates and journey together to meet the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

In view of its accolades, including 10 Oscar nominations, this film is a must-see. Wicked won for Best Costume Design and Production Design, as well as more than 100 other awards.

Furthermore, as the highest-grossing musical film adaptation of all time, Wicked set the record for the most first-week views of any family film on Showmax since the African streamer’s relaunch last year.

• Age recommendation: FPB: PG | Common Sense Media: 10+
• Watch the trailer: Wicked – Official Trailer

Action-Packed Family Movie Pick: Sonic the Hedgehog 3

Next up, the #10 biggest box office hit of 2024, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, sees Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails faced with a powerful new adversary, Shadow.

Outmatched in every way, Team Sonic must seek out an unlikely alliance to protect the planet. The movie boasts an impressive 85% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes—the highest yet for the franchise. As the critics’ consensus says, “With a double helping of Jim Carrey’s antics and a quicksilver pace befitting its hero, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is the best entry in this amiable series yet.” Ben Schwartz, Idris Elba and Keanu Reeves voice Sonic, Knuckles and Shadow, respectively.

• Age recommendation: FPB: 10-12 PG | Common Sense Media: 8+
• Watch the trailer: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 | Official Trailer

Epic Holiday Streaming for Kids: Iyanu S1

Drawing on Nigerian culture, music, and mythology, Iyanu follows a teenage orphan who discovers her divine powers and her destiny to save the ancient kingdom of Yorubaland.

Oscar-winning Lion Forge Entertainment (Hair Love) produces the epic fantasy animation series, which Nigeria’s Roy Okupe created based on his graphic novel series, Iyanu: Child of Wonder.

Subsequently, Cartoon Network and Max have already greenlit Season 2 and two linked feature films, after Iyanu ranked as the #1 series on Cartoon Network.

Screenrant hails it as “The Last Airbender and Black Panther hybrid you didn’t know you needed.”

• Age recommendation: FPB: 7-9 PG | Common Sense Media: 8+
• Watch the trailer: Iyanu | Official Trailer | Coming to Showmax

Charming Children’s Entertainment: Tiddler

Tiddler adapts the bestselling picture book by Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler, telling the story of a little fish with a big imagination who gets lost in the deep, wide ocean – until his own storytelling saves him. From multi-Oscar-nominated producers Magic Light Pictures, South African Alex Bain co-directs this charming short, and Emmy winner Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso’s Rebecca Welton) narrates. Unquestionably a hit, Tiddler became the 9th most-watched title on BBC on Christmas Day, attracting over eight million viewers.

• Age recommendation: FPB: A
• Watch the trailer: Tiddler Official Trailer

A Looney Holiday Pick: The Day the Earth Blew Up

To celebrate Porky Pig turning 90 this year, Warner Bros. and Ketchup Entertainment bring us the first fully animated feature-length film in Looney Tunes history.

In this adventure, Porky Pig and Daffy Duck become unlikely heroes and Earth’s only hope when their antics at the local bubble gum factory uncover a secret alien mind-control plot. The two are determined to save their town (and the world!) – if they don’t drive each other looney in the process.

• Age recommendation: FPB: 7-9 PG | Common Sense Media: 7+
• Watch the trailer: The Day The Earth Blew Up | TRAILER

Local School Holiday Entertainment: Takalani Sesame

A local spinoff of Sesame Street, Takalani Sesame follows the adventures of Elmo and Zuzu, two best friends exploring their world with fun, laughter, and learning.

Previous seasons have won the SAFTA and Peabody Awards. Available in Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, and Zulu, the series importantly promotes early childhood education while supporting South Africa’s mother-tongue education policy.

Showmax is also adding more Sesame Workshop content this July, including Takalani Sesame S14 on 18 July, Sesame Street S50 on 21 July, Takalani Sesame S15 on 25 July, and Emmy-nominated spinoff Sesame Street Mecha Builders S1 on 30 July.

• Age recommendation: FPB: PG

Spooky Family Movie Pick: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Finally, Tim Burton directs Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, which became last year’s best-reviewed fantasy movie on Rotten Tomatoes. After a family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River.

Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia’s life turns upside down when her teenage daughter, Astrid, accidentally opens the portal to the Afterlife. With trouble brewing in both realms, it’s only a matter of time until the mischievous demon returns.

Oscar nominees Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder are back, while Emmy nominee Jenna Ortega (Wednesday) joins the cast.

• Age recommendation: FPB: 13 H L V | Common Sense Media: 13+
• Watch the trailer: BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE | Official Trailer